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Located approximately 45km east of Heraklion and 21km west of Agios Nikolaos, the Gorge Sellinari is nestled on the eastern slopes of Selena Mount, draining the valley west of Vrachassi. This gorge is a well-known location for all Cretans as the National Road from Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos runs along it. Historically, it served as the natural passage from the region of Lassithi to the fertile north coasts of Heraklion.
The dense vegetation of Selinari can be enjoyed either by car or by taking a leisurely walk until its exit near Milatos. A route worth exploring is the old National Road, which runs parallel to the New Road and winds through the gorge. The gorge walls and surrounding mountains provide a haven for many birds of prey. Selinari was once a refuge for the rare Cretan wild goat, but sadly, it is now extinct. Several springs are scattered around the area, but the most renowned attraction is the historic Saint George Monastery. For the Cretans, it is considered a bad omen to pass a gorge without stopping at the monastery. This belief stems from the past when the Selinari Monastery served as a rest stop for travelers and their animals.
Get directions to Selinaris Gorge
Selinaris Gorge is located in the Lasithi Region of Crete, Greece.
Selinaris Gorge is a natural canyon located in the eastern part of Crete. It is known for its stunning rock formations, lush vegetation, and crystal-clear waters.
The length of Selinaris Gorge is approximately 1.5 kilometers.
Yes, Selinaris Gorge is a popular hiking destination in Crete. The trail is well-marked and relatively easy, making it suitable for hikers of all levels.
The best time to visit Selinaris Gorge is during the spring and autumn months when the weather is mild and the vegetation is at its most vibrant. However, it is possible to visit the gorge year-round.
No, there is no entrance fee to Selinaris Gorge.
There are no facilities near Selinaris Gorge, so it is recommended to bring your own food and water. There are also no toilets or restrooms along the trail.
Find below the list of things to do near Selinaris Gorge:
Join us for an unforgettable journey through the Lasithi region, where every moment promises adventure and discovery.
Psychro Cave or Cave of Zeus: Embark on a 1-hour and 40-minute exploration of the legendary Psychro Cave, the mythical birthplace of Zeus. Marvel at its awe-inspiring formations.
Vidiani Monastery: Discover the tranquility of Vidiani Monastery, nestled at the foot of Louloudaki Mountain. Explore its spiritual surroundings for 25 minutes.
Village of Krasi: Begin your day in the picturesque village of Krasi, renowned for its freshwater springs and the oldest and biggest tree on the island of Crete. Explore its traditional streets and landmarks during our 20-minute stop.
As a delightful conclusion to our tour, we will visit the site of the “Olive Oil Festival” in Sisi. Nestled in a picturesque location in the mountains, surrounded by carobs, wild olives, herbs, and grazing goats and sheep, this festival is a perfect blend of culture and nature. Here, you will be educated on various local productions such as olive oil, soaps, and honey.
Additionally, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a buffet lunch prepared right before your eyes in a specially designed outdoor area, available at an extra cost. The festival also features an exhibition of locally produced items available for purchase, ensuring you can take a piece of this authentic experience home with you. This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in local traditions and flavors in a truly beautiful setting.
Experience the essence of Crete on this enriching journey through its history, culture, and natural beauty.
After the tour, participants will return to their respective points by bus, with the duration varying based on traffic conditions and individual pick-up locations.
Upon arrival at the farm, we’ll immerse ourselves in a comprehensive experience that spans approximately 4 hours.
The educational segment of the tour will feature workshops covering various traditional practices:
Olive oil: From the 18th-century mill to the modern ecological olive mill, learn about the history and production of olive oil.
Local Honey: Gain insights into honey-making from local beehives and discover the fascinating world of bee activity.
Raki: Delve into the traditional production of Raki, an integral part of Cretan culture, and understand its significance.
Soap: Explore the art of soap-making from olive oil and its numerous benefits.
Please note that although we won’t demonstrate production processes at the farm, local farmers will lead workshops to share their knowledge and insights.
The gastronomical part of the tour offers a delightful journey:
Wine Tasting: Experience the flavors of exceptional wines crafted from local Cretan grape varieties and learn about ancient winemaking traditions.
Homemade Cretan Food in Wood Fired Oven: Indulge in authentic cuisine cooked in a traditional wood-fired oven, featuring seasonal greens, fava beans, French fries, garden salads, and appetizers prepared with olive oil.
Live Show: Immerse yourself in Cretan culture with lively Greek music, dance performances, and a captivating orchestra.
Before concluding the tour, explore the Local Products Market to browse and purchase high-quality local products directly from the producers, including those sampled during the experience.
What about a daily fishing tour combined with swimming in crystal clear blue sea? Starting off at the renowned fishing village of Elounda, you will board a small boat and when you are out in the open sea a local fisherman will show you various fishing techniques and will help you catch your fish. Enjoy your time by fishing with rod. Then it is time to swim and do snorkeling in the clear crystal sea of Elounda bay and enjoy the serenity of the place. The tour ends with a delicious meal onboard, including the fishes that you have catched, during our return to the port.
The excursion can take place at different times of the day (09:00-14:00 / 12:00-17:00 / 16:00-21:00).
The calculated time includes the transfer time to the boat and return.
In the city of Gouves, our group of adrenaline enthusiasts undergoes a safety briefing and receives quad bikes and helmets.
The trip does not take place on public roads. The entire route is laid out on dirt roads, olive groves, and rough terrain.
On this journey, Tez Tour paid maximum attention to safety! The group moved in a column, with drivers maintaining distance and not overtaking each other.
On the way, we encounter small ravines and hills, and rocky hills. We ride through olive groves and groves of wild carob trees. As we advance, we get further and further away from civilization. Along the way, there are thickets of impassable Mediterranean shrubs and grass.
Our path leads deep into the islands, to the cave of St. Paraskeva (Skotino). On the way to the cave, our convoy of quad bikes moves along the upper edge of the Skotino canyon. The landscapes that open up are simply breathtaking.
From a bird’s-eye view, we see the bottom of the gorge, where we will pass through thickets of green shrubs and reeds on the way back.
While moving in a column, guests can enjoy the views and nature, but for full safety, it is not possible to “squeeze out the maximum” potential of the quad bike. Experienced drivers or adrenaline lovers may have a huge desire to try something more.
During the stop near the cave, guests can ride “almost without restrictions” on a wide dirt road. Those who have enough adrenaline can also visit two small mountain churches built right above the entrance to the cave.
When the group is ready, the guide hands out headlamps and helmets, takes a large flashlight, and we begin an exciting exploration of the underground world of the Skotino cave. First, we discuss safety techniques and then descend to the bottom of the cave. The entrance is hidden in dense green vegetation, and there is no one around except us.
The cave is one of the largest in Crete and Greece, about 10 times the size of the famous Zeus cave. The descent is not difficult. Non-professional cavers only need about 1-1,5 hours to explore the cave’s stalactites and stalagmites.
After visiting the cave, the group of quad bikes returns to Gouves.
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Find below the list of hotels near Selinaris Gorge:
Boasting mountain views, Sissi – Villa Eleftheria offers accommodation with a balcony and a coffee machine, around 1.7 km from Boufos Beach. This villa has a private pool, a garden, barbecue facilities, free WiFi and free private parking.
The villa is fitted with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with sea views.
Avlaki Beach is 1.8 km from the villa, while Kalimera Kriti Beach is 2.2 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 38 km from Sissi – Villa Eleftheria.
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€141
/night
House of Polymnia has mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking, situated in Sissi, 2.2 km from Boufos Beach.
The holiday home provides guests with a terrace, sea views, a seating area, a flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with an oven and a toaster, and a private bathroom with bath and a hair dryer. A fridge, a stovetop and kitchenware are also available, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle.
House of Polymnia features a barbecue and a garden.
Kalimera Kriti Beach is 2.2 km from the accommodation, while Avlaki Beach is 2.3 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 38 km from House of Polymnia.
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€81
/night
Located in Sísion and only 1.5 km from Boufos Beach, Malena Residence provides accommodation with mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking. This holiday home offers air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony.
The holiday home with a terrace and sea views features 2 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven, and 1 bathroom with a shower. Towels and bed linen are provided in the holiday home.
The holiday home has a barbecue and a garden, which can be enjoyed by guests if the weather permits.
Avlaki Beach is 1.7 km from Malena Residence, while Kalimera Kriti Beach is 2 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 37 km from the accommodation.
Located in Vrachasi and only 19 km from Lake Voulismeni, Villa Aires provides accommodation with sea views, free WiFi and free private parking. With mountain views, this accommodation offers a terrace and a swimming pool.
Featuring a Blu-ray player, the villa has a kitchen with a dishwasher, an oven and a microwave, a living room with a seating area and a dining area, 5 bedrooms, and 5 bathrooms with a bath and a shower. Towels and bed linen are featured in the villa.
The villa offers a barbecue.
Cretaquarium Thalassocosmos is 32 km from Villa Aires, while Heraklion Archaeological Museum is 47 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 40 km from the accommodation.
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€412
/night
Carob Villas, an Eco-Friendly Hideaway features pool views, free WiFi and free private parking, located in Sísion, 2.9 km from Boufos Beach.
The villa provides guests with a terrace, sea views, a seating area, a flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with an oven and a fridge, and a private bathroom with shower and a hair dryer. A stovetop and kitchenware are also provided, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle.
Guests can swim in the pool with a view, go fishing or hiking, or relax in the garden and use the barbecue facilities.
Lake Voulismeni is 25 km from Carob Villas, an Eco-Friendly Hideaway, while Cretaquarium Thalassocosmos is 27 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International, 35 km from the accommodation, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
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€213
/night
Sissi Lux Villas features pool views, free WiFi and free private parking, set in Sissi, 2.3 km from Boufos Beach.
The villa provides guests with a terrace, mountain views, a seating area, a flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven, and a private bathroom with walk-in shower and a hair dryer. A microwave, a toaster and fridge are also featured, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle.
Sissi Lux Villas offers a barbecue.
Guests can enjoy the outdoor swimming pool and garden at the accommodation.
Avlaki Beach is 2.5 km from Sissi Lux Villas, while Lake Voulismeni is 25 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 35 km from the villa.
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The Maliaris Gorge, which originates near the Peronides village, travels west of the Souvlos village where a trail commences, and combines with the Anemaliaris gorge before concluding at the Tzavlidon Vlyhada beach. This gorge, characterized by scrublands, expansive areas, and cave-filled walls, is a classic representation of the Mirabello region. Notably, the gorge is home to a massive cave known as Volakospilios, situated in its center.
The Embasa Gorge, also known as Apotyposi, begins its journey from the village of Kato Kera in the Pediada province and concludes near the village of Gonies, spanning a length of approximately 2km. The upper section of the gorge is notably steep, giving rise to several waterfalls during the winter season, with the tallest one measuring around 20m in height. The largest waterfall is particularly intriguing due to its division into several smaller cascades. It is possible to reach all the waterfalls without any special equipment as they can be circumvented from the sides.
Ascending the canyon from Gonies provides easier access to the waterfalls. However, the dense vegetation and steep inclines may pose a challenge for beginners. The gorge is predominantly populated by oak trees, planes, and brambles. The Life-Giving Spring church (Zoodohos Pigi) is located on the edges of the gorge, above the largest waterfall. According to local lore, a natural rock formation resembling the Virgin Mary can be found above this church. Hence, the gorge is also referred to as Apotiposi (Depiction). The church serves as the nearest parking spot to the large waterfall and can be conveniently reached from here, provided one can first overcome the initial hurdle of the fence erected by local shepherds.
Roza Gorge, a branch of the larger Ambelos Gorge, originates near the Panagia Kera Kardiotissa Monastery in the Ano Kera region. It connects with the rural road that traverses the Ambelos Gorge close to the village of Gonies. Walking along the riverbed is not feasible due to the precipitous drops, but a well-marked hiking trail is available on the gorge’s sides. The gorge’s sides are visually striking, showcasing unique geological formations that captivate visitors. After heavy rainfall, surface water is visible in the gorge, evidenced by the growth of oleander plants in the riverbed.
The name ‘Roza’ is derived from the pinkish hue (‘roz’ translates to pink) of the gorge’s walls. Another theory suggests that the gorge was used as a disposal site for sterile animals like donkeys in the past. As a result, locals named it ‘Stira Za’ (meaning sterile animals), which eventually evolved into ‘Sti Roza’ (or in Roza).
Canyoning in the Roza Gorge
Roza Gorge is technical in nature, implying that hiking in its bed is not an option due to the numerous steep descents (rappels) that necessitate specific technical gear and training. For canyoning enthusiasts, it’s important to note that the largest rappel is approximately 18m high. The points are secured with relays from the speleological clubs of Crete, and the descent for a small group typically takes around 3 hours. The gorge’s proximity to Heraklion and easy accessibility make it a popular choice for canyoning schools.
The Adrianos Gorge originates from the Adrianos village. There are areas within the gorge where large rocks obstruct the pathway, making navigation challenging, but achievable (it takes approximately 3 hours to traverse). In close proximity to the gorge, you can explore the Maridon and Atziganospilios caves.
The river that courses through the gorge is a segment of the Skoulikaris or Xeropotamos River. This river collects water from the Potami village valley and, after covering several kilometers, it finally drains near the Agios Nikolaos town stadium.
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